Imagine trying to build a super-advanced computer, but the parts are as big as a room and cost a fortune. This project shrinks those massive quantum components onto a tiny chip, similar to how a giant room of vacuum tubes became a modern processor. By using a special aluminum-oxide material, they can handle a wide range of light colors to make these devices smaller, cheaper, and easier to mass-produce.
Current quantum devices are too large, expensive, and difficult to scale, preventing them from moving out of the lab and into commercial markets.
A universal Al2O3 integrated photonics platform and an open PDK containing building blocks like tunable lasers and single photon detectors.
If you are a hardware manufacturer dealing with the massive size and high cost of quantum devices — this project developed a universal PIC platform that enables wafer-level manufacturing to reduce size and cost.
If you are a sensor developer dealing with the lack of portable, high-accuracy clocks — this project developed an atomic clock based on Yb+ ions for quantum sensing.
If you are an infrastructure provider dealing with scalability issues in quantum networks — this project developed a source of GKP states for quantum processing to enable next-generation communications.
It utilizes wafer-level manufacturing based on microfabrication technologies to move away from bulky, expensive setups toward integrated circuits.
Yes, the project focuses on a PIC platform that allows for wafer-level manufacturing to ensure scalability and a full European supply chain.
The project is developing an open PDK (Process Design Kit) to group quantum building blocks and accelerate innovation from idea to manufacture.
The project investigates programmable ASICs and specific packaging and assembly technologies to ensure the PICs can be integrated into functional systems.
The project runs from 2024-01-01 to 2027-12-31, with initial design requirements for demonstrators completed in the first 18 months.
The consortium is highly balanced for commercialization, featuring a 50% industry ratio with 6 industrial partners, including 4 SMEs. This mix of 5 universities and 1 research center across 6 European countries suggests a strong pipeline from academic research to industrial application, specifically aimed at securing a European supply chain.
Contact Universiteit Twente regarding the open PDK for quantum PICs
Contact us to identify potential licensing opportunities for the Al2O3 photonics platform.
